Have you ever felt like your only option was to start over? Like the path you were on became heavier than the unknown ahead?
I have.
These past few months have been a whirlwind for me.
I’ve felt like I was being thrown into new environments over and over again.
Not just new environments, but places where I was starting from ground zero.
I quit my job.
I moved out of my apartment.
I left my country.
It felt like I had reached a point where continuing the same path was heavier than starting over.
And I knew: if not now, then when?
This reminds me of a quote I’ve held onto:
“Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the climb, but letting go of the place you’ve outgrown.”
The place I left behind may seem like comfort now, but back then, it was far from it.
There are moments when I think, "It wasn’t that bad after all - at least compared to now."
But that’s just the voice of resistance. The inner voice that keeps us tied to safety and holds us back from growth.
Here’s the funny part: I’ve returned home, and now I have to do it all over again.
I need to move into a new home.
I need to find a new job.
And on top of that, I just started this newsletter.
Starting from scratch, once again.
I won’t lie - there are times when I feel like I’m falling behind others.
Or worse…
I catch myself thinking I’m not in as good a position as I was before.
But I remind myself: even though I’m “starting over,” this is my chance to reinvent myself. To think about the things we often overlook in the rush of our day-to-day lives.
The path I was on before wasn’t leading anywhere.
And honestly? I didn’t even like it.
Now, I have a blank slate.
A chance to make better choices this time around.
I’ve made wrong choices before. Most of us have. That’s often why we’re forced to start over.
But here’s the thing: not making a choice is a choice, too.
And sometimes, life puts us in a position where starting over isn’t optional - it’s the only way forward.
Here’s what I’ve learned: starting over isn’t failure.
Even if it feels like you’re starting from scratch, you’re not.
You’re starting with everything you’ve learned along the way.
No one can take your experiences, your growth, or your knowledge from you.
In fact, this is often what growth looks like- messy, uncomfortable, and disguised as uncertainty.
And it doesn’t always feel like growth in the moment.
That’s the hardest part, isn’t it? Getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
When we’re in unfamiliar territory, doubt creeps in.
That’s when you need to cut out distractions and stop comparing yourself to others.
As they say:
“Don’t compare your Chapter 1 to someone else’s Chapter 20.”
Starting over means walking through moments when nothing seems to make sense, when nothing feels like it’s working in your favor.
Trust me - I’ve felt it too.
But this is where small wins become your best friend.
As long as you’re taking steps forward - no matter how small - you’re making progress.
All you need to do is focus on the next step in front of you.
That’s it.
The path will reveal itself as you move forward.
That’s why I’m such a big advocate for journaling.
Reflecting on what’s working - and what isn’t - helps me clarify my next steps.
It’s like having a raw, honest conversation with yourself.
Here’s the truth: I love being in this position.
For the first time in a while, I feel hungry again.
Instead of being discouraged by starting from zero, I’m fueled by it.
Being at ground zero motivates me - especially when I take the time to reflect and understand my next steps.
During this process, I came up with a quote that’s been guiding me:
“It’s better to be late to the right party than early to the wrong one.”
That’s the mindset I’m holding onto.
Being in the right place, doing the right thing, matters more than being good at something that doesn’t align with who you want to become.
Because let’s be honest: being great at the wrong thing - or staying in the wrong place - isn’t sustainable.
Starting over forces you to ask yourself the hard questions.
It pushes you to focus on what truly matters.
It’s a chance to realign yourself with your long-term vision, even if it takes longer to get there.
So here’s my message for you:
If you feel like you’re starting over, you’re not behind.
You’re not losing.
You’re growing in a way that most people are too afraid to embrace.
Whether it’s the gym, your career, relationships, or a new hobby—progress takes time.
Starting over may feel slow, but trust that persistence will lead to rewards.
Take it one step at a time.
Reflect.
And keep moving forward.
You’re exactly where you need to be.
This week - Zach Bryan "Burn, Burn, Burn"
All the love, Niklāvs
